Blackburn Rovers F.C. MM - The Rovers Keep Rolling On

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Blackburn Rovers F.C.

Team Information and History

Full name: Blackburn Rovers Football Club
Nicknames: Rovers, Blues & Whites
Sponsor: Crown Paints
Founded: 1875
Chairman: John Williams
Owner: Fred Walker
Manager: Paul Ince
Assistant Manager: Ray Mathias
First Team Coach: Archie Knox
Assistant First Team Coach: Karl Robinson
Reserve Team Manager: Iain Brunskill
Captain: Ryan Nelsen
League: Barclays Premier League, England
Location: Blackburn
Rivalries: Burnley, Preston North End, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic
Honors:

FA Premiership Champions (1994/95)
FA Premiership Runners-up (1993/94)

Division One Champions (1911/12, 1913/14)
Division One Runners-up (2000/01)

Division Two Champions (1938/39)
Division Two Runners-up (1957/58 )
Division Two Play-Off Winners (1991/92)

Division Three Champions (1974/75)
Division Three Runners-up (1979/80)

FA Cup Winners (1884, 1885, 1886, 1890, 1891, 1928 )
FA Cup Runners-up (1882, 1960)

Football League Cup Winners (2002)

Full Members Cup Winners (1987)

FA Youth Cup Winners (1959)
FA Youth Cup Runners-up (1998, 2000)
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Kits:

Home:

Away:

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Stadium Information:

Name: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,367
Built: 1882
Opened: 1882
Renovated: 1903, 1915, 1987-95
Pitch Surface: Grass

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Managerial Information:

Name: Paul Ince
DOB: 21 October 1967
Age: 40
Birthplace: Ilford, England
Past Teams: Macclesfield Town (2006/07); Milton Keynes Dons (2007/0
Playing Career: West Ham United (1984-89); Manchester United (1989-95); Internazionale (1995-97); Liverpool (1997-99); Middlesbrough (1999-2002); Wolverhampton Wanderers (2002-06); Swindon Town (2006); Macclesfield Town (2007)
International Career: England U21 (1989); England (1992-2000); England B (1992)

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Club Records (Premier League Only):

Appearances: Brad Friedel (261)
Goals: Alan Shearer (112)

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Overall Club Records:

Appearances: Derek Fazackerley (596) [1970/71 to 1986/87]

Goals Scored: Simon Garner (194 [168 League]) [1978/79 to 1991/92]

Attendance: 62,255 v Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup 6th Round, 2 March 1929)

Transfer Fee Paid: ₤8m to Manchester United for Andrew Cole (December 2001)

Transfer Fee Received: ₤17m from Chelsea for Damien Duff (July 2003); ₤17m from Tottenham for David Bentley (July 2008 )

Record Win: 11-0 v Rossendale United, EwoodPark (FA Cup 1st Round 13 October 1984)

Record League Win: 9-0 v Middlesbrough, EwoodPark (Division 2 6 November 1954)

Record Away Win: 8-2 v West Ham United (Division 1 26 December 1963)

Record League Defeat: 0-8 v Arsenal (Division 1 25 February 1933); 0-8 v LincolnCity (Division 2 29 August 1953)

Record Home League Defeat 1-7 v NottsCounty (17 March 1891); 1-7 Middlesbrough (29 November 1947)

Most points gained in a season: 91 (2000/01)

Least points gained in a season: 35 (1998/99)

Most consecutive league appearances: Walter Crook (208 ) [1934-46]

Most goals scored in a season: Ted Harper (43) [Division 1 1925/26]

Most goals scored in a match (player): Tommy Briggs (7) v Bristol Rovers, EwoodPark [Division 2 5 February 1955]

Youngest Player to appear: Harry Dennison (16 yrs and 155 days) v BristolCity [Division 1 8 April 1911]

Oldest Player to appear: Bob Crompton (40 yrs and 150 days) v Bradford [Division 1 23 February 1920]

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Last Years Statistics:

League: Barclays Premier League, England
Position: 7th
Wins: 15
Draws: 13
Losses: 10
Goals For: 50
Goals Allowed: 48
Goal Differential: +2
Points: 58
Honors: N/A
Qualified For: N/A

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[Chelsea11]

great start

[XXM4NC1TYXX]

hey some compition

ur the only one i know thats doing
a rovers thread

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Thanks, although I'm having trouble editing it.

Everytime I do the message area goes an odd shade of gray and the text/images all disappear.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Nevermind, figured that part out.

Guess there's no more using Mozilla.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Ince To Announce Transfer Targets

With the 2008-2009 season looming, newly appointed Blackburn Manager Paul Ince has recently announced his summer transfer targets. Well, better put, target, as the manager has sought only to add one new addition to his squad. When asked about the issue, Ince had this to say:

“The board and I have discussed the issue of new players. I, as well as the board, believe that with the current squad we have, and potentially minor changes, we will be able to fight for a bid for Europe this season.”

This most likely is due to the rumors that the Blackburn chair has only granted Ince a ₤4m budget to spend on targets.

“We are currently looking at former Club America player Juan Carlos Medina to add some much needed depth to our flanks.”

The 25 year old was recently dropped from his now former squad after failing to meet manager Ramon Diaz's strict discipline rules.

“Medina adds a quick step and a strong first touch that will allow him to dominate the later stages of any match.”

“I am looking forward to signing him, especially after hearing about his release from Club America.”

“I think that he can and will be able to make an immediate impact upon the league and help us win.”

Ince has also told Skysports that the Blackburn Board has opted to give him time to adjust to the strains of the Premier League and only expects a top half finish with the potential of turning into a bid for Europe. However, the FA Cup is an expectation that the new manager is more likely to achieve.

[Lewis1995]

Good Start mate KIU

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Preseason Match-up Tickets Now Available

Blackburn Club officials have released ticket news about the upcoming preseason fixtures against Borussia M’gladbach of the German Bundesliga and Siena of the Italian Serie A.

Both matches are to be played away from Ewood Park, which brings some disappointment from the Blackburn supporters.

M’gladbach are a recently promoted side to the Bundesliga and are hoping to experience some top level competition from England before embarking on their campaign.

Sienna, who has struggled in the past few years in the Italian top division, has welcomed with open arms the friendly invitation from Rovers.

Blackburn has informed their fans on their official website that transportation will be provided to and from each match in both locations; however, the fare to get to both Germany and Italy respectively will be in the hands of the supporters traveling along.

[djg91]

Good start mate, sounds like things are going to get interesting...

Have a look at my Werder Bremen one if you like

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Rovers run rampant over M’gladbach in 7-0 stunner

McCarthy – 8th’
Santa Cruz – 11th’
Dunn – 24th’
Reid – 35th’
Half: Blackburn: 4; M'gladbach: 0
Reid – 66th’
Dunn – 73rd’
Santa Cruz – 85th’

It took just 8 minutes for Blackburn to open the floodgates and boy did they open. Roque Santa Cruz slotted a well placed through-ball to the feet of Benny McCarthy who took three steps, split two defenders, and scored a low, curled shot from the penalty spot to put Blackburn up 1-0.

M’gladbach must still have been asleep because 3 minutes later Emerton’s through ball to Santa Cruz found the Paraguayan international one-on-one with the M’gladbach defender Roel Brouwers. Brouwers’ lunge at the ball was ill-timed and missed horribly as Santa Cruz slotted home another low shot. 2-0 Rovers.

Blackburn continued to put pressure on their opponents when Santa Cruz’s 17th minute effort on a breakaway was seen pushed wide by the keeper.

Minutes later Blackburn earned their first of five corners of the match, and this one would prove to be the deadliest. The serve was poorly cleared out to Stephen Warnock on the edge of the box, who took a shot only to have it blocked by the back of a M’gladbach defender. God’s favor was not on M’gladbach as the deflected shot fell to the feet of David Dunn who calmly curled it into the side of the net as defenders bore down around him. 3-0.

Just seven minutes later Dunn saw another poor clearance fall to his feet twenty meters from goal. This time his efforts would not be rewarded. Both defenders and keeper watched hopelessly as Dunn’s rifled shot struck off the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.

The M’gladbach defense still looked no better two minutes later as another awful clearance fell to the feet of a Blackburn player. Steven Reid, this time, lined up a cracker as it ricocheted off the inside of the post and past the stunned keeper. 4-0 All Blackburn at half.

Matt Derbyshire on; Benny McCarthy off at half allowing the youngster a chance at goal.

The pace and excitement of the first half died down after each manager had a chance to talk with his team. However, a very hard tackle by Andy Reid on M’gladbach midfielder Sascha Rosler saw the player carted off in favor of Gal Alberman.

The substitution provided no relief for the M’gladbach efforts as Stephen Reid, from a Santa Cruz lay-off, let another rocket go soaring past the helpless keeper in the 66th minute. 5-0 and no relief in sight.

M’gladbach had multiple opportunities from free kicks 30 meters away but none troubled Robinson as he was allowed to make casual save after casual save.

David Dunn continued to torment the opposition with quick pass after quick pass finding his targets. His header into the goal in the 73rd minute almost all but assured him honors for man of the match. 6-0.

An lazy square ball in the back saw Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz walk past the powerless M’gladbach keeper and into the goal, finishing up Blackburn’s amazing start to their season. 7-0.

An overall dominating performance by Paul Ince’s side looks like the perfect start for any squad, especially for one being guided by such a young manager.

Match Facts (Shots (On target), Fouls, Bookings, Corners, Offsides, Possession, Passing %):
Blackburn: 17(13), 8, 0, 5, 0, 58%, 83%
M’gladbach: 3(3), 1, 0, 0, 0, 42%, 66%

Man of the match: David Dunn - with two brilliant goals and the middle of the field presence of any great midfielder, Dunn was able to power his team forward at the end of the day.

Honorable mentions: Roque Santa Cruz, Steven Reid, and Paul Robinson.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

I'm not going to post squads for preseason friendlies, however once the overall squad has been finalized I'll do previews for each match.

Also, I'll have the final overall squad posted once the transfer market has ended.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

New Signing Unveiled; Departures Revealed

Blackburn Rovers Manager Paul Ince has announced the signing of 25 year old Mexican star Juan Carlos Medina. The winger was acquired on a free transfer. Medina was released by Club America earlier in the month after repeated discipline offenses. Medina is seen below in training.

The club has also announced the sales of Johann Vogel and Keith Andrews, a player Ince tried desperately to draw from his former club MK Dons.

The 31 year old Vogel asked the club to allow him to play Championship side football as his age increased and his pace declined. Following the seven to nil thrashing of Borussia M’gladbach, Rovers have accepted the offer from Ipswich Town of ₤430,000 and have waved farewell to their center midfielder.

Vogel has decided to call the Premiership quits; Championship here he comes!

Keith Andrews was told by Ince, after Ince had time to critique his players in a few trainings, that he would most likely not have much playing time at Blackburn. Andrews was then sold later that week to Wolverhampton for roughly ₤550,000. Blackburn has also wished their 28 year old center midfield ado and the best of luck in his Championship campaign.

Andrews after his recent signing at Blackburn has departed for more 1st team action.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Lazy Defending Leads to Rovers Fall

Dunn 29th'
Maccarone 40th’

Kharja 83rd’

Blackburn Rovers second, and final, preseason match saw them travel to Sienna. Both sides elected to start the match with their top notch players.

However, the match got off to a tortoise like pace at the start. Few opportunities were created early, with the only one before the 30 minute mark – a corner headed well high and wide by Stephen Warnock.

Blackburn was finally able to break the deadlock 15 minutes from half on a David Dunn header off of a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner. Dunn was able to out jump Sienna defender Camilo Zuniga before powering the ball past the helpless Sienna keeper. 1-0.

Shortly after Sienna’s Massimo Maccarone, equalized – jumping over a sliding Christopher Samba before slipping the ball underneath the diving Paul Robinson. 1-1.

Just mere seconds later Blackburn Rovers striker Benny McCarthy was tackled harshly from behind inside the penalty box. It appeared as though the ref was preoccupied with tying his shoe laces and the foul went unnoticed.

Skipper Ryan Nelsen got his own back for the missed call with a ruthless slide tackle into the side of Maccarone forcing the striker to come off injured for the Moroccan, Houssaine Kharja.

Each side was able to put multiple chances off target from poor long range efforts – Sienna skipper Simone Vergassola’s 50th minute effort the most notable. However, the skipper was to be replaced just 4 minutes later by the Ghanaian, Ahmed Barusso.

The 65th minute saw Paul Ince’s side switch in Matt Derbyshire for McCarthy and the recently signed Juan Carlos Medina for Pedersen. Both bringing some speed and flair to the pitch saw the already suspect Rovers defense become even more fragile.

Poor passing by David Dunn in the 79th minute saw Barusso take a whistler from the edge of the box, Robinson’s fingers were just strong enough to tip the ball spinning wide.

4 minutes later the Rovers defense’s poor tackling, apparent throughout the match, was dearly paid for as a 6 player scuffle within the 6 yard box saw a Kharja toe poke roll past the unsuspecting Robinson into the net. 1-2.

Steven Reid’s stoppage time effort was not enough as a magnificent save by Curci saved the last minute equalizer.

Match Facts ([Shots (On target)], Fouls, Bookings, Corners, Offsides, Possession, Passing %):
Blackburn: 9(7), 3, 0, 0, 5, 0, 53%, 80%
Sienna: 6(5), 0, 0, 1, 0, 47%, 74%

Man of the match: Steven Reid – while the rest of the Rovers midfield seemed inefficient and lazy, Reid was a work horse. Tackles came left and right as well as some well placed through balls that gave the Blackburn strikers plenty of opportunities.

Honorable mention: David Dunn

Paul Ince is left to ponder his squad selection after the disappointing result.

[JulianBere]

Nice start.

The first post is great. But unreadable make the font one bigger.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Thanks . It's my first one so hopefully all goes well.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Final Squad Announced

Paul Ince has informed Sky Sports today of his final selections for his 2008-2009 squad.
The new manager has kept many returning players from Mark Hughes’ 2007-2008 squad along with the new addition of Mexican Juan Carlos Medina. However, he currently has no plans of adding additional depth to the squad, which features 24 players.

Ince has been quoted as saying:

"We have made all the transfers planned this summer and are looking forward to a strong start to our season."

"If the need arises in January we will be sure to inform you of any possible transfer development related to the team."

The following is a list of players on Ince’s 08/09 Blackburn squad:

Goalkeepers:
Paul Robinson – 15/10/1979 – England – 77 – ₤1.8m – GK
Jason Brown –18/5/82 – Wales – 60 – ₤190,000 – GK

Defenders:
Andre Ooijer – 11/7/1974 – Holland – 76 – ₤760,000 – CB
Christopher Samba – 28/3/1984 – D.R. Congo – 78 – ₤1.7m – CB
Ryan Nelsen – 18/10/1977 – New Zealand – 79 – ₤2.2m – CB
Stephen Warnock – 12/12/1981 – England – 74 – ₤1.7m – LB
Eddie Nolan – 5/8/1988 – Ireland – 61 – ₤480,000 – CB
Tony Kaine – 29/8/1987 – Northern Ireland – 60 – ₤330,000 – RB
Daniel Simpson – 4/1/1987 – England – 67 – ₤680,000 – RB
Martin Olsson – 17/5/1988 – Sweden – 57 – ₤280,000 – LB

Midfielders:
Brett Emerton – 22/2/1979 – Australia – 77 – ₤2.1m – RM
Steven Reid – 10/3/1981 – Ireland – 75 – ₤1.3m – CM
David Dunn – 27/12/1979 – England – 75 – ₤2.1m – CM
Morten Gamst Pedersen – 8/9/1981 – Norway – 82 – ₤3.9m – LM
Tugay – 24/8/1970 – Turkey – 70 – ₤93,000 – CDM
Vincenzo Grella – 5/10/1979 – Australia – 76 – ₤2.2m – CM
Aaron Mokoena – 25/11/1980 – South Africa – 74 – ₤1.5m – CDM
Juan Carlos Medina – 22/8/1983 – Mexico – 76 – ₤2.4m – RM
Carlos Andres Villanueva – 5/2/1986 – Chile – 71 – ₤1.0m – CM
Keith Treacy – 14/9/1988 – Ireland – 58 – ₤310,000 – LWM

Forwards:
Matt Derbyshire – 14/4/1986 – England – 75 – ₤3.3m – ST
Jason Roberts – 25/1/1978 – Grenada – 75 – ₤1.6m – ST
Roque Santa Cruz – 16/8/1981 – Paraguay – 83 – ₤9.2m – ST
Benedict « Benny » McCarthy – 12/11/1977 – South Africa – 82 – ₤6.6m – ST

Blackburn officials have also posted on their website the August schedule for Blackburn Rovers. The opening month will feature home draws against Fulham and Manchester United with an away match at rivals Bolton between the two home fixtures.

Ince has declared an expectation of a minimum of 4 points from the three fixtures if Blackburn is to be successful this campaign.

[Bayern]

great start mate!
this MM looks like its going to be a good one.

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Thanks for the support guys.

[Bart6]

This is great so far

[xRonaldinhox10x]

Great thread so far Gunners, keep it going and good luck

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Blackburn Rovers F.C. vs. Fulham F.C. Match Preview

VS.

The long awaited start to what is bound to be a thrilling season opens today with Blackburn set to face Fulham. Each side is looking to start their campaign off on the right foot with a desirable three points. Blackburn is hoping to build upon their 7th place finish from just a year ago, while Fulham is seeking a mid-table finish, one much more comfortable than last season’s 17th place.

The Englishman, David Dunn, is looking to continue his run of strong form in recent matches netting three goals in just two games. The center midfielder is once again paired with Stephen Reid, both of whom will have their hands full with Fulham’s three center midfielders.

Jason Roberts is looking to make his debut this season for Blackburn. The strong Grenadian is partnered with Roque Santa Cruz up top and is hoping to make a first-class impression on new manager Paul Ince.

New signing Juan Carlos Medina will experience his first English Premiership match from the bench this time around. The 25 year old may be in Ince’s plans if the situation calls for it, but don’t expect the youngster to have too many touches on the ball for the first few weeks.

Ince has been commented as saying that he feels that his Blackburn side is strong enough to grab all three points if they work as a unit in attack and stay compact in the back. Ince looks to utilize the 4-4-2 to his advantage against Fulham’s lone striker and recent summer signing, Andy Johnson.

Blackburn (4-4-2):

Fulham (4-5-1):

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Preview for the match against Fulham is up.

Any predictions?

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Hmm... no match predictions.

Debating whether to wait or not to post the match results.

[Chelsea11]

2-0 to you, Satna Cruz with both goals

[Gunners4Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo7Rooney

2-0 to you, Satna Cruz with both goals

Thanks R7R.

I'll post the match result before I head off to do something else for the night.